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Abstract:

WIFI management interfaces for microwave radio and reset to factory
defaults are provided herein. Methods may include transmitting or
receiving, on a dedicated management interface antenna of the wireless
radio management signals, signals in a dedicated band for controlling
operations of the wireless radio, and transmitting or receiving, on at
least one additional antenna of the wireless radio management signals,
signals that are not used for controlling operations of the wireless
radio. The dedicated management interface antenna and the at least one
additional antenna being physically separated from one another.

Claims:

1. A wireless radio, comprising: at least one antenna for transmitting or
receiving signals, the at least one antenna using a first interface; and
a dedicated management interface antenna providing a wireless interface
that is used to manage and configured the wireless radio.

2. The wireless radio according to claim 1, wherein the dedicated
management interface antenna broadcasts management signals in 2.4 or 5
GHz frequencies.

3. The wireless radio according to claim 1, wherein the dedicated
management interface antenna is directed towards ground level.

4. A method for controlling a wireless radio, the wireless radio
comprising a processor and a memory for storing executable instructions,
the processor executing the instructions to perform the method,
comprising: transmitting or receiving, on a dedicated management
interface antenna of the wireless radio management signals, signals in a
dedicated band for controlling operations of the wireless radio; and
transmitting or receiving, on at least one additional antenna of the
wireless radio management signals, signals that are not used for
controlling operations of the wireless radio, wherein the dedicated
management interface antenna and the at least one additional antenna are
physically separated from one another.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising receiving a reset
signal from a technician.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising power cycling the
wireless radio after receiving the reset signal.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein signals for controlling
operations of the wireless radio comprise a service set identifier
(SSID).

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the SSID includes a set of
characters that indicate to a technician that the wireless radio has been
reset.

9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising closing the
dedicated band if no client associates with the wireless radio within a
predetermined period of time after transmitting SSID.

10. The method according to claim 4, further comprising receiving a
unique device identifier from a client that is coupled to the wireless
radio on the dedicated band.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the unique device
identifier is a serial number of the wireless radio.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising authenticating
the client.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising receiving
reconfiguration instructions for the wireless radio.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising reconfiguring
the wireless radio in accordance with the reconfiguration instructions.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein signals for controlling
operations of the wireless radio comprise a management user interface UI
that is transmitted to the client.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the reconfiguration
instructions are received via the management UI.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein signals for controlling
operations of the wireless radio comprise a decommissioning signal.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/766,667, filed on Feb. 19, 2013, titled "WIFI
MANAGEMENT INTERFACE FOR MICROWAVE RADIO AND RESET TO FACTORY DEFAULTS",
which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety
including all references cited therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present technology may be generally described as providing a
WiFi Management Interface for Microwave Radio and Reset to Factory
Defaults.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Resetting of microwave radio devices often requires direct access
to physical ports (e.g., Ethernet or craft) ports of a radio.
Unfortunately, these devices are often installed on towers, which make
physical access difficult.

SUMMARY

[0005] In some embodiments, the present technology may be directed to a
wireless radio, comprising: (a) at least one antenna for transmitting or
receiving signals, the at least one antenna using a first interface; and
(b) a dedicated management interface antenna providing a wireless
interface that is used to manage and configured the wireless radio.

[0006] In some embodiments, the present technology may be directed to a
method for controlling a wireless radio. The wireless radio comprises a
processor and a memory for storing executable instructions. The processor
executes the instructions to perform the method, comprising: (a)
transmitting or receiving, on a dedicated management interface antenna of
the wireless radio management signals, signals in a dedicated band for
controlling operations of the wireless radio; and (b) transmitting or
receiving, on at least one additional antenna of the wireless radio
management signals, signals that are not used for controlling operations
of the wireless radio, wherein the dedicated management interface antenna
and the at least one additional antenna are physically separated from one
another.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Certain embodiments of the present technology are illustrated by
the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not
necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding
of the technology or that render other details difficult to perceive may
be omitted. It will be understood that the technology is not necessarily
limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

[0008] FIG. 1A are front and rear perspective views of an exemplary
enclosure;

[0009] FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary enclosure
of FIG. 1A;

[0010] FIG. 1C is an exploded perspective view of the exemplary enclosure
of FIGS. 1A-B, shown from the rear;

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary computing device that may be used
to implement embodiments according to the present technology;

[0013] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for controlling a
wireless radio.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0014] While this technology is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding
that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of
the principles of the technology and is not intended to limit the
technology to the embodiments illustrated.

[0015] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the
invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms
"comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify
the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or
more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,
and/or groups thereof.

[0016] It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or
components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings
with like reference characters. It will be further understood that
several of the figures are merely schematic representations of the
present technology. As such, some of the components may have been
distorted from their actual scale for pictorial clarity.

[0017] Generally speaking, the present technology contemplates adding a
2.4 GHz/5 GHz WiFi radio to a microwave radio operating in a separate
band, which provides a simple means for a technician to configure and
manage the microwave radio when onsite. Prior approaches have involved an
electrical connection to the microwave radio through either Ethernet or a
"craft port" (typically RS-232). Benefits of the WiFi approach are
convenience (using cell phone instead of a wired laptop connection) and
the ability to reset the radio to factory defaults without requiring a
local or remote reset button.

[0018] A technician can reset a microwave radio to factory defaults by
using the 2.4 GHz wireless interface. The process involves disconnecting
the Ethernet interface from the network and power cycling the radio. Upon
powering up the device, the 2.4 GHz interface starts up in a "reset"
configuration with a specific reset SSID. The interface is shutdown after
a set time interval unless the client associates. The present technology
allows a technician to easily reset and reconfigure a wireless radio
when, for example, the technician has forgotten a password for the
wireless radio. Often times these radios are placed in locations where
access to the radio is difficult or dangerous. The use of a dedicated
antenna and band, as well as management interfaces allow for efficient
resetting and reconfiguring of a wireless radio.

[0019] It will be understood that in some instances, the SSID may include
an SSID that includes special characters such as letters or numbers that
signify that the device is in a recovery mode, for example, "RESET" or
"RECOVER", although other characters may also be utilized. Knowing the
SSID, the technician may access the device's configurations via the
management interface via entering a unique device identifier, which may
correspond to the serial number of the radio. Thus, with the recovery
SSID and the unique device identifier (or other authentication
credentials), the technician may reconfigure the settings of the radio
via the management interface (see FIG. 3).

[0020] These features allow for technicians to reset the settings of the
radio device, such as when the IP address for the radio is lost or if
authentication credentials for the radio device are lost. Such wireless
reconfiguration features allow for simplified commissioning and
decommissioning of devices without need for careful device configuration
maintenance.

[0021] FIGS. 1A-C collectively illustrate an exemplary device 100 that
includes a WiFi management interface (FIG. 3) and utilizes a dedicated
antenna 150. It will be understood that while the management interface
and dedicated antenna 150 have been described as being utilized with the
device 100, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any
suitable radio antenna that is capable of being rest to factory default
settings may also likewise utilize the present technology.

[0022] While the present technology may be utilized in conjunction with
the device of FIGS. 1A-C, it will be understood that the 2.4 Ghz/5 Ghz
wireless interface configuration and management methods/systems provided
herein may also likewise be utilized with other suitable devices or
systems, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art with
the present disclosure before them. Thus, FIGS. 1A-C and their
accompanying descriptions are intended to be viewed as an example of a
device that can be configured using the present technology. Therefore,
the description and figures of 1A-C should not be viewed as limiting the
present technology in any specific manner unless specifically stated to
be limiting or claimed as limiting.

[0023] The device 100 may comprise a mounting bracket that allows the
device 100 to be pivotally coupled to a mounting surface, such as a tower
(not shown). The ability of the device 100 to be pivotally connected to a
mounting surface allows for an azimuth angle to be established, as would
be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure
before them.

[0024] The mounting bracket may couple with a back cover via a plurality
of fasteners. The device 100 also comprises a dish that is formed so as
to include a rear cavity and a front cavity. A PCB assembly is disposed
at least partially within the rear cavity of the dish. A seal, such as a
gasket, may be disposed between the outer peripheral edge of the rear
cavity and the back cover to sealingly protect the PCB assembly from
contamination. The PCB assembly may also include a PCB heat spreader or
other means for transferring heat generated by the PCB assembly to the
ambient environment such as fans and so forth.

[0025] In some instances, the dish may include a side lobe shield that
extends beyond the outer peripheral edge of the dish. In some instances
the side lobe shield may include a shroud having a sidewall that forms a
ring around the outer peripheral edge of an upper surface of the dish.

[0026] Advantageously, the inner surface of the side lobe shield may be
provided with a metalized coating. The upper surface of the dish may also
include a metalized coating. In some instances at least a portion of the
inner surface of the side lobe shield may be augmented with a metallic
coating and/or a microwave absorbing material, such as a foam or other
electrically insulating material that is coated along the inner surface
of the front cavity of the dish. The microwave absorbing material is
shown as being disposed within the front cavity, but may also be applied
or sprayed to the inner surface of the side lobe shield. In other
instances, the microwave absorbing material may be integrated into the
side lobe shield itself. An exemplary metalized coating of the upper
surface of the dish and the inner sidewall of the side lobe shield is
illustrated in Photos A, B, and E, which are attached hereto.

[0027] Because the side lobe shield extends beyond the outer peripheral
edge of the dish, the side lobe shield functions to direct the signals
reflected by the dish surface in a more uniform and directed pattern. For
example, the side lobe shield may reduce side lobe radiation which is
transmitted from and/or received by the device. Thus, the device 100 may
reduce an amount of signals which are received by the device 100 that are
transmitted by adjacent transmitters. Also, the side lobe shield of the
device 100 may also reduce an amount of microwave signals transmitted via
side lobe projection by the device. Thus, the device 100 reduces both the
transmission and reception of deleterious side lobe signals.

[0028] The device 100 may also comprise a wave guide that is
communicatively coupled with the PCB assembly. A cylindrical dielectric
plate may couple with the wave guide. Also, a reflector may be associated
with the dielectric plate. The combination of the PCB assembly, wave
guide, dielectric plate, and reflector may collectively be referred to as
a "radio." A radome cover attaches to the side lobe shield to sealingly
cover the reflector, dielectric, and wave guide that are housed within
the front cavity.

[0029] It will be understood that the radome, side lobe shield, dish, and
back cover of the device 100 may be constructed from any suitable
material such as a plastic, a polymeric material, a resin, a composite
material, a natural material, or any other material that would be known
to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0030] The dedicated antenna 150 provides for directional communication
with a technician, wirelessly. The dedicated antenna 150 may be pointed
generally to a location of interaction, such as where a technician will
be typically located. For example, if the device 100 is on a tower, the
dedicated antenna 150 may point towards the base of the tower.
Advantageously, the dedicated antenna 150 may be configured to minimize
interference.

[0031] The dedicated antenna 150 may communicatively couple with and may
be controlled by the PCB assembly. The dedicated antenna 150 may
communicate on a channel that is distinct from the channel used by the
radio assembly of the device 100 to prevent interference with the
broadcast signals transmitted and received by the device 100. Stated
otherwise, the dedicated antenna 150 may allow for wireless
communications over an out-of-bandwidth channel, which reduces signal
interference.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary computing device 200 that may be
used to implement an embodiment of the present technology. The computing
device 200 of FIG. 2 includes one or more processors 210 and memory 220.
The computing device 200 may be utilized to control one or more functions
via the PCB assembly of device 100 of FIG. 1. In some instances, the
processor 210 and memory 220 may be integrated into the PCB assembly.
Exemplary functions executed by the processor 210 and stored in memory
220 may include, but are not limited to transmission and/or receipt of
signals, as well as signal processing commonly utilized with 2×2
(or greater) multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) transceivers.
Additional functions include providing a management interface (GUI) that
allows technicians to configure settings for the radio system.
Additionally, a remote reset feature may also be programmed into the
radio system.

[0033] The Main memory 220 stores, in part, instructions and data for
execution by processor 210. Main memory 220 can store the executable code
when the system 200 is in operation. The system 200 of FIG. 2 may further
include a mass storage device 230, portable storage medium drive(s) 240,
output devices 250, user input devices 360, a graphics display 270, and
other peripheral devices 280.

[0034] The components shown in FIG. 2 are depicted as being connected via
a single bus 290. The components may be connected through one or more
data transport means. Processor unit 210 and main memory 220 may be
connected via a local microprocessor bus, and the mass storage device
230, peripheral device(s) 280, portable storage device 240, and graphics
display 270 may be connected via one or more input/output (I/O) buses.

[0035] Mass storage device 230, which may be implemented with a magnetic
disk drive, an optical disk drive, and/or a solid-state drive is a
non-volatile storage device for storing data and instructions for use by
processor unit 210. Mass storage device 230 can store the system software
for implementing embodiments of the present technology for purposes of
loading that software into main memory 220.

[0036] Portable storage device 240 operates in conjunction with a portable
non-volatile storage medium, such as a floppy disk, compact disk or
digital video disc, to input and output data and code to and from the
computing device 200 of FIG. 2. The system software for implementing
embodiments of the present technology may be stored on such a portable
medium and input to the computing device 200 via the portable storage
device 240.

[0037] Input devices 360 provide a portion of a user interface. Input
devices 360 may include an alphanumeric keypad, such as a keyboard, for
inputting alphanumeric and other information, or a pointing device, such
as a mouse, a trackball, stylus, or cursor direction keys. Additionally,
the system 200 as shown in FIG. 2 includes output devices 250. Suitable
output devices include speakers, printers, network interfaces, and
monitors.

[0038] Graphics display 270 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) or
other suitable display device. Graphics display 270 receives textual and
graphical information, and processes the information for output to the
display device.

[0039] Peripherals 280 may include any type of computer support device to
add additional functionality to the computing device. Peripheral
device(s) 280 may include a modem or a router.

[0040] The components contained in the computing device 200 of FIG. 2 are
those typically found in computing devices that may be suitable for use
with embodiments of the present technology and are intended to represent
a broad category of such computer components that are well known in the
art. Thus, the computing device 200 of FIG. 2 can be a personal computer,
hand held computing device, telephone, mobile computing device,
workstation, server, minicomputer, mainframe computer, or any other
computing device. The computer can also include different bus
configurations, networked platforms, multi-processor platforms, etc.
Various operating systems can be used including UNIX, Linux, Windows,
Macintosh OS, Palm OS, and other suitable operating systems.

[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary graphical user interface in the
form of a login page that may be displayed on a mobile device, such as a
tablet-style computing device. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary graphical
user interface in the form of a management interface that allows a
technician to control and configure a radio device in accordance with the
present technology. FIGS. 5 and 6 are similar to FIGS. 3 and 4,
respectively with the exception that FIGS. 5 and 6 are configured for
display on a mobile device, such as a cellular telephone.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an exemplary method for controlling a
wireless radio. In some embodiments, the method may include broadcasting
705 a reset service set identifier (SSID) upon power up or reset. As
mentioned above, the SSID may include a set of characters that indicate
to a technician that the wireless radio has been reset.

[0043] In some embodiments the method may include closing 710 the
dedicated band if no client associates with the wireless radio within a
predetermined period of time after transmitting SSID.

[0044] When a client couples with the radio on the dedicated band, the
method may include receiving 715 a unique device identifier from a client
that is coupled to the wireless radio on the dedicated band. This unique
device identifier may be received via a management UI (e.g., login page
as described above.

[0045] The method may include authenticating 720 the client and receiving
725 reconfiguration instructions for the wireless radio. Finally, the
method may include reconfiguring 730 the wireless radio in accordance
with the reconfiguration instructions.

[0046] Some of the above-described functions may be composed of
instructions that are stored on storage media (e.g., computer-readable
medium). The instructions may be retrieved and executed by the processor.
Some examples of storage media are memory devices, tapes, disks, and the
like. The instructions are operational when executed by the processor to
direct the processor to operate in accord with the technology. Those
skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, processor(s), and
storage media.

[0047] It is noteworthy that any hardware platform suitable for performing
the processing described herein is suitable for use with the systems and
methods provided herein. Computer-readable storage media refer to any
medium or media that participate in providing instructions to a central
processing unit (CPU), a processor, a microcontroller, or the like. Such
media may take forms including, but not limited to, non-volatile and
volatile media such as optical or magnetic disks and dynamic memory,
respectively. Common forms of computer-readable storage media include a
floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, any other
magnetic storage medium, a CD-ROM disk, digital video disk (DVD), any
other optical storage medium, RAM, PROM, EPROM, a FLASHEPROM, any other
memory chip or cartridge.

[0048] Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of
the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more
programming languages, including an object oriented programming language
such as Java, Smalltalk, C++or the like and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar
programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the
user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software
package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or
entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the
remote computer may be coupled with the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network
(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for
example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[0049] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of
all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended
to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in
combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The
description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or
limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Exemplary
embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the present technology and its practical application, and
to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention
for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated.

[0050] Aspects of the present invention are described above with reference
to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus
(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the
invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart
illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the
flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by
computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be
provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a
machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of
the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create
means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart
and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[0051] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable
data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular
manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium
produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement
the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.

[0052] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices
to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,
other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer
implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the
computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for
implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.

[0053] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the
architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of
systems, methods and computer program products according to various
embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the
flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion
of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for
implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted
that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the
block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two
blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially
concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse
order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted
that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and
combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart
illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based
systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of
special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0054] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be
understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not
limitation. The descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the
technology to the particular forms set forth herein. Thus, the breadth
and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the
above-described exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the
above description is illustrative and not restrictive. To the contrary,
the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives,
modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and
scope of the technology as defined by the appended claims and otherwise
appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the
technology should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the
above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the
appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.